Forget everything you thought about who runs the WNBA, because Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston just dropped an absolute truth bomb during All-Star media availability in Chicago. After going toe-to-toe with nearly every elite scorer this league has, Boston didn’t even flinch when she was asked about her toughest defensive assignment. Her pick? None other than her own teammate, Kelsey Mitchell! Yeah, you read that right, folks. Boston, who sees all the action up close, straight-up called her own teammate the “hardest person to guard” on the entire floor.
Mitchell’s Offensive Firepower Is Just Different
Boston isn’t just saying this to be nice, she sees it happen every single day in practice, and she’s got the receipts. “I think Kelsey Mitchell’s the hardest person to guard on the floor,” Boston declared. And why is that? Because Mitchell isn’t just good, she’s a complete nightmare to defend. She can create her own shot in a million different ways, making defenders look lost. You think you’ve got her? Nope! She can go back door on you in a flash, or she’ll just blow past everyone off the dribble. She attacks from the perimeter, creates separation like it’s nothing, and will absolutely punish you if you lose track of her away from the ball. That kind of versatility, that relentless offensive arsenal, has made Mitchell the undeniable centerpiece of Indiana’s entire offense. It’s a problem for every other team in the league.
Overdue Flowers for a Fever Legend
And honestly, it’s about time Mitchell gets this kind of recognition. This woman is having one of the best seasons of her entire nine-year professional career. She stormed into the All-Star break leading the Fever with a blistering 23.3 points per game, alongside a solid 2.7 assists, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals through 27 appearances. Those ridiculous numbers didn’t just earn her an All-Star nod; they landed her the first All-Star starting assignment of her career! That’s a massive deal, a huge milestone for someone who’s consistently delivered. Boston knows it’s overdue: “I think it’s about time that people give Kelsey her flowers right now,” she emphasized. Mitchell was the No. 2 overall pick back in the 2018 WNBA Draft and has stayed loyal to Indiana her entire career, battling through some seriously tough rebuilding seasons. She was key in helping the Fever return to the postseason in 2024, sticking it out and elevating her game as the team finally developed into a contender. Boston summed it up perfectly, “The way she plays and the way she competes is like no other.”
Teammates To Opponents: Who’s Got The Edge?
Now for the real drama: Boston gets to put her assessment to the ultimate test this Saturday during the WNBA All-Star Game! We’ve got Boston playing for Team Spoon and Mitchell repping Team Coop. You know exactly what that means, right? There’s a legitimate, heart-pounding possibility that Boston gets switched onto the very player she just crowned the league’s toughest matchup. Imagine the scene, the intensity! Fever fans packed into Chicago are going to be absolutely losing it if Mitchell decides to challenge Boston in an isolation play. There’s gonna be a ton of star power on the court, sure, but few players on that floor will understand Mitchell’s ridiculous offensive ability better than the teammate who’s had to try and stop her countless times in practice. This is gonna be appointment viewing!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply